Which Seats to Choose on a Plane
Front? Back? Middle? These are the questions travelers ask themselves before a flight. Which of the three seats is the most comfortable? We tell you how to choose a seat on a plane and list all the honest pros and cons. (Spoiler: there are cons everywhere. Even for a window seat.)
Front of the Plane
Pros:
1. The flight feels smoother and quieter, as the engines are further away.
2. Food service starts from this part of the plane (though the luckiest ones are still those flying first class). You won't get hungry, unlike those in the back rows. And you'll definitely get the dish you want, not just what's left.
3. You'll exit the plane faster, which means you'll get to passport control sooner and collect your luggage from the belt. Passengers in the back will have to wait in line. Unless they can run fast.
Cons:
1. If the restroom is only located at the back of the plane, you'll have to walk through the entire cabin to use it.
Middle of the Plane
Pros:
1. The flight will also feel smooth, as the middle part of the cabin is located directly over the wings. This is the most stable area on the plane. Even in turbulence, it will shake less here.
2. You'll get your food faster than passengers in the back. The chance of getting the dish you want is still high, though slightly reduced.
Cons:
1. The engines are located here, so the area is quite noisy. If you're flying with a child, unfamiliar noise might irritate them — potentially leading to crying.
2. People constantly crowd around the restroom located at the back. If you're sitting by the aisle, your head will be right at the level of someone's hips, whose owner is waiting for their turn. The proximity, of course, is not ideal.
Back of the Plane
Cons:
1. It shakes a lot when the plane enters a turbulence zone.
2. It's also very noisy at the back.
3. You run a very high risk of not getting the food you want. And you'll be among the last passengers to eat.
Pros:
1. But the restroom is close.
Window Seat
Pros:
1. You can look at the clouds, sea, and mountains outside the window. And constantly shoot content for social media so everyone knows you're flying on vacation. But your neighbors won't be so lucky: if they decide to take a photo, your head or hand will probably be in the way.
2. In fact, you only have one neighbor — the one sitting next to you. You don't see or feel the second one. Or you only see them when you're going to the restroom.
3. You can lean your head against the window frame and peacefully doze off for the entire flight. If you also bring an inflatable pillow, it will be perfect.
Cons:
1. You'll have to ask your neighbors to get up when you go to the restroom.
Middle Seat
Pros:
1. There's potential for a romantic story (see point 5 in cons).
Cons:
1. People occupy the armrests on the left and right, so you'll have to sadly fold your arms on your lap.
2. Because other passengers are sitting on both sides, you feel cramped and uncomfortable. And you want more personal space.
3. The person sitting by the window will disturb you when they want to use the restroom.
4. And you will disturb the person sitting by the aisle. Crowding, uncomfortable sighs, displeased faces. In short, you can't avoid interacting with people: this seat is definitely not for introverts.
5. Want to sleep soundly on the flight? Well, enjoy waking up on your neighbor's shoulder. On the other hand, that's how a romantic story might begin…
Aisle Seat
Pros:
1. You can freely go to the restroom and walk around the cabin without fear of disturbing your neighbors. For example, when you want a drink, you can go to the galley yourself and ask the flight attendants for tomato juice.
2. You'll be among the first to exit and will get to your luggage faster.
Cons:
1. If someone's heavy bag falls from above, you're at risk. This happens if the overhead bins for carry-on luggage are flimsy or poorly closed.
2. You might be hit by the food cart that flight attendants push around.
3. Or you might be kicked by a child running around the cabin.
4. Sometimes you have to pass food and drinks to the person sitting by the window because the flight attendants can't reach them.
Safest Seats on a Plane
According to statistics, the highest survival rate among passengers is in the tail of the plane. It turns out that the most uncomfortable part of the cabin, where it's noisy and where flight attendants are slow to deliver food, is simultaneously the most suitable for aviophobes.
So if you're wondering where to get seats on a plane to be safe, feel free to choose seats at the back. The easiest way to do this is when you check in online or at the airport. We wrote more about how airport check-in works in another one of our articles.
Seats Near Emergency Exits
Pros:
1. Plenty of legroom in front. A real jackpot for tall people.
2. Emergency exit nearby! You're the first candidate to survive in case of a plane crash. The main thing is not to wake up on a deserted island.
3. The risk of tomato juice ending up on your lap is minimal, as no one decides to recline their seat exactly when you're eating.
Cons:
1. No seat in front of you = no tray table. This means there's nowhere to put the food served by flight attendants, or to lay out attractively smelling jamon and duty-free chocolate. You'll have to ask a flight attendant for a table.
2. This seat is often chosen by parents with a child, as it's convenient for bassinets. If you don't want your ears to ring from a child's crying throughout the flight, think twice.
3. Seats by the emergency exit do not recline. But you can slide forward, while others cannot.
How to Get the Best Seat on a Plane
There's only one legal option: book your seat in advance. You can do this either immediately when purchasing your ticket (this is an additional service provided by the airline, costing 500–800 rubles), or the day before departure during mobile check-in on the carrier's website. You will see a cabin layout where you can choose the desired seats.
A couple more life hacks: brazenly lie and say you're newlyweds who haven't had time to change your last name. Or pretend to be sick. You wouldn't sneeze on people, honestly.
If you book a seat during check-in, keep in mind that in this case, all the best seats will likely already be taken by those who paid money and booked them immediately. Therefore, if it's crucial for you to sit by the window or near an emergency exit, don't postpone choosing your seat.
And anyway, what difference does it make where you sit if you're flying on a trip? Especially now, when choices are limited. And moreover, we found pros for all seats (even for seats in the back and middle). So go ahead and buy tickets on Kupi.com — let's go relax!
And don't forget to subscribe to our Telegram channel! There you'll find: selections of inexpensive tickets, private sales for subscribers, the most up-to-date news on entry rules for countries around the world, and simply interesting travel content — travel hacks, guides, and expert advice.
